Conte handed Kurt Zouma a first Premier League start since the defender suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury against Manchester United last February.

Zouma was withdrawn at half-time but Conte eased any fears over a fresh injury for the 22-year-old, explaining he introduced Nemanja Matic to reinforce Chelsea's midfield as David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne shone for the visitors.

"It was only a tactical change," he added. "I think Kurt played very well in the first half but we suffered too much in the midfield and for this reason I preferred to pick Matic and reinforce our midfield